AGE: 30
TITLE: Executive Director
COMPANY NAME: Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater
COMPANY’S LOCATION: Middletown
RESIDENCE: Old Saybrook
What do you do? I am privileged to run Connecticut’s largest youth theater where every day we build essential life skills for young people ages 3-20 through the theatrical arts. I focus on the organizational strategies and operations, uniting the artistic focus of the theater with our business strategies, public relations and fundraising efforts. My position allows me to not only advocate for Oddfellows Playhouse and our young people, but for the importance, impact and necessity of the arts in our communities and in all of our lives.
What do you want to be doing in 10 years? Everyday I’m challenged intellectually, personally, professionally, which makes my job very enjoyable. I know that the work I do makes a difference in a lot of people’s lives. That impact keeps the challenges in perspective and makes all the effort worth it. I hope that in ten years, I’m being just as challenged and that I’m conquering those challenges in order to make a bigger impact on our state and its residents.
What is your biggest strength? When I began my career in theater as a director years ago, I quickly realized that I was not the most talented person in the room. I was surrounded by so many other very talented artists. As a director, I was very lucky to be in the position to help bring those talents together and accomplish something that could only be done through collaboration and a lot of team work. I’ve applied that mindset to all aspects of my career. I’m still not the smartest or most talented person in the room. There is always someone else that possesses skills or strengths that I may not have. The point I am trying to get to is that I’m able to recognize what is beyond my skill set, and trust others to use their strengths towards the success of the project.
Where do you go for new ideas? Everywhere — radio, Twitter, books, journals, conferences, peers, family, and friends. A long run always inspires me and also usually helps me sort out what might be applicable to my current conundrum.
What is the best advice you received? I had an acting professor in college who told me that I was too deferential onstage. I realized how much of that was from who I was as a person, and I’ve worked harder since then to advocate and express what I believe in, in order to become a strong leader.
What service or charitable cause has your attention? Working for a not-for-profit organization makes me more aware of the issues in our community and all the work that is being done by so many people to resolve those issues. I focus my energy on being an advocate for the importance of arts in our communities. When times are tough, people tend to fall into the trap of thinking that the arts are an extra. The arts are not an extra. People need to have their hearts, minds and souls nourished, as well as their bodies, if they are going to really enjoy life and thrive as a community. The arts sector employs many people and is a critical piece of a strong, healthy, vibrant community.
